EFCC Demands Permanent Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Malami
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a permanent forfeiture order for 57 properties allegedly connected to former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, SAN. This motion, filed by the anti-graft agency, seeks to transfer these assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria, asserting that they are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.
Legal Proceedings and Grounds for Forfeiture
In a motion on notice for final forfeiture, the EFCC's legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), presented their case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The motion, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, argues that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify vacating an earlier interim forfeiture order. The application is based on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006, which empowers the court to grant such reliefs in non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceedings.
Okutepa outlined six grounds supporting the application, emphasizing that the properties in question are reasonably suspected to stem from illegal activities. The EFCC contends that this legal action is crucial for combating corruption and recovering assets believed to be acquired through abuse of office and fraud.
List of Respondents and Investigation Details
The motion names multiple respondents, including the ex-AGF, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, as the first respondent, along with Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru' Rahman Abubakar Malami, and various corporate entities such as Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, and Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE. These parties, ranging from the 1st to the 15th respondents, are implicated in the alleged financial misconduct.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Daniel Adebayo, an investigating officer with the EFCC's Special Duties Committee, detailed the commission's investigative efforts. He stated that the EFCC received numerous petitions against Malami from different organizations, accusing him of corruption, abuse of office, and fraud. The investigation involved extensive coordination with agencies like the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).
Additionally, the team engaged with land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states, as well as revenue services and the National Universities Commission (NUC). Field visits were conducted to assess sold landed properties and evaluate asset values, while individuals relevant to the case were interviewed to gather comprehensive evidence.
Implications and Broader Context
This case highlights the EFCC's ongoing efforts to tackle high-profile corruption in Nigeria, particularly involving former government officials. The push for permanent forfeiture underscores the agency's commitment to using legal frameworks to reclaim assets suspected of being illicitly obtained. If granted, the order could set a precedent for similar actions against other individuals accused of financial crimes, reinforcing anti-corruption measures in the country.
The outcome of this court proceeding will be closely watched, as it may impact public trust in Nigeria's judicial and anti-graft institutions. The EFCC's assertive stance signals a continued crackdown on corruption, aiming to deter future misconduct and promote accountability among public office holders.
